The German media giant controls leading European broadcaster RTL Group and production firm FremantleMedia, makers of “American Idol.”

German media giant Bertelsmann published preliminary year-end figures Friday that show the parent company of broadcaster RTL Group and X Factor/American Idol production house FremantleMedia increased total revenues by around 2 percent to $22.1 billion (€16.4 billion) in 2013. Operating profit (EBITDA) was up $135 million to $3.1 billion (€2.3 billion) with EBIT profits on par with 2012 figures, the company said.

Group net income is expected to top $1.08 billion (€800 million), putting it far above the adjusted 2012 figure of $828 million (€612 million).

Bertelsmann said it also chopped its net financial debt in half last year to $812 million (€600 million). Based on the preliminary, unaudited figures, the company plans to pay shareholders a dividend of 15 percent of par value on its 2001 profit participation certificates and between 6-8 percent on its profit participation certificates issued in 1992. Both payouts are scheduled for May, 2014.

Bertelsmann will publish its full, audited figures for 2013 on March 26